College of Professional and Liberal Studies

Richard Irwin, PhD
Executive Dean

Joanne Gikas, PhD
Associate Dean
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Colin Chapell, PhD
Graduate Coordinator
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The College of Professional and Liberal Studies offers three graduate degrees: the Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS), the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) and the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) with concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Leadership, and Training and Development. Additionally, we offer Graduate Certificates in Aviation Human Factors, Liberal Studies, and Strategic Leadership.

The objectives of the MALS program are to develop: (1) an ability to conceive and develop an interdisciplinary program of study; (2) a high level of proficiency in written and verbal communication skills; (3) an ability to integrate research from various disciplinary perspectives in an interdisciplinary program of study; and (4) an ability to identify and research a topic from interdisciplinary perspectives and communicate the findings in oral and written presentations.

The Master of Professional Studies includes concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Leadership, and Training and Development. Each represents an interdisciplinary graduate degree for leaders in the workplace; each concentration includes coursework in leadership, communication, strategic planning and assessment, organizational structure, and research/data analysis.

The Graduate Certificate in Liberal Studies allows students the opportunity to take a brief course of study to explore areas of personal interest.

Experiential Learning

The University of Memphis believes that rigorous professional and/or personal development occurs in settings outside the traditional classroom and grants experiential learning credit (ELC) to students who demonstrate the academic merit of such experiences. These contexts for ELC include both formal and informal learning that results from worksite training, professional organization certification, community volunteering, and unique life experiences. Students may apply ELC toward degree programs granted by College of Professional and Liberal Studies.

Experiential learning credit for graduate students is awarded for advanced professional/personal development. Students may be expected to demonstrate a leadership or production capacity.

Experiential learning credit can only be awarded for experiences attained prior to the first term of enrollment in a College of Professional and Liberal Studies graduate program. A favorable portfolio review will result in one (1) to nine (9) credit hours posted to the student’s transcript.

A student may not audit or enroll in a credit course at the University and subsequently seek credit in that course through experiential learning. A student may not earn additional credit for experiences previously awarded ELC.

Graduate students are encouraged to submit notification of intent to apply for ELC no later than the first term of enrollment. Experiential learning credit is only granted upon the written recommendation of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies Graduate Studies Director (or designated representative). A maximum number of 9 (nine) semester hours of credit can be granted via ELC.

For more details on the systematic process implemented by the College of Professional and Liberal Studies for evaluating and credentialing experiential learning, see www.memphis.edu/innovation/elc/experiential_learning.php.